Two Words
There was once a man who decided to join a monastery. The head monk told him that, in order to join, he was allowed to say only two words a year. After the first year the head monk said, "You have done well this year. What are your two words?" The man said, "Hard bed." The monk said, "Okay, I will see what I can do." After the second year the monk came to the man and said, "You have done well this year, also. What are your two words?" The man said, "Bad food." The monk said, "Okay, I will see what I can do." After the third year the monk came to the man and said, "You have been here three years. What are the two words for this third year?" The man said, "I quit." The monk replied, "You may as well quit, all you have done since you came here is only complain."
Originally published November 14, 2002.
